Her Skyscrapers

Chapter 2

It's currently 6:52 pm and the only thing I've done is homework. My head throbbed as I read instructions for an assignment due the following day on a dimly lit laptop. I sighed and laid down.

My door crept open and there stood my sister. "Aren't you tired of doing this work? You're on a break here, enjoy Europe before we leave, Juliette." I overheard my sister say.

I felt the bed shift beside me, Janice had sat on my bed and there she took a hold of my papers.

"Janice, I'll be a graduate soon, there's no way in hell I would give up now."

Silence stood above us, the only sounds that played were the glistening raindrops that fell frequent from Britain's skies, the oldie music playing in the living rooms where clearly our parents had been slow dancing and the breathing between us two.

"Juliette, about tomorro-" before she could say another thing, I suddenly interrupted her.

"Jay, I won't get married. This is the man of your dreams. Why bail now? All those years together would certainly go to waste." I scoffed and gripped my pen. She shifted uncomfortably and sighed loudly.

"You're just like him, asking me why am I giving up all those years and what not. I'm not interested in him anymore. There's no connection and he's out doing work all day."  She answered and crossed her arms, before standing up. "Mom asked us to join the Hanes at the dinner table if you'd care to join us."

I rested my eyes for a moment before joining the table. It seemed very awkward after Janice announced her decision. An unpleasant cough echoed throughout the elegant hall.

The hall was unlike ours. Delightful splashes of white marble danced around the room, gold accents played a large role in hugging a large painting of what seemed to be numerous soldiers. A chandelier hung above a large darkened wood accented table that stretched too long for one to measure, however, I'd guess it'd seat around 15 or so people lengthwise.

My eyes glanced at Michael's parents, after noticing he'd coughed numerous times. Mr.Hanes gave a look towards my father and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Without a trace of thought, my father spoke sternly, gripping his glass of wine.

"We have decided that our youngest of 18, Juliette Young will have the honor of marrying Michael Hanes, of Hanes Corp. in position of our eldest of 23, Janice Young of JYM. We hope to converse in the near future with this marriage."

My heart stopped, nearly everything was spinning and I had a sudden panic attack. I faced my parents, dreading them, wishing that I'd had the choice to marry someone I liked. I bit my lip and noticed that my grip tightened around the fork I held. Releasing the tension, I noticed my hand had reddened a bit.

"As the next CEO of Hanes Corp. Michael would have the pleasure to marry a heir of JYM. We too, hope to converse in the future." Mr.Hanes smiled and laughed, whilst raising his wine cup. The two rejoiced upon the arranged marriage and began to eat. I glanced at Michael, whom had not touched his food nor glass even after the agreement under the two men.

I couldn't tell if he was annoyed, mad, sad, etc with the mask he wore. The parents chatted along with business matters, while I poked around the peas on my plate. I looked over my shoulder to Janice, who had already finished her share of chicken and green beans.  I sighed and pushed my peas to the side.

I stood up, pushed my chair under the table and quietly excused myself. I grabbed my plate and swiftly walked over to the kitchen to wash my plate.

---

"Why does it look like some bee just decided to sting her in 30 different places?" A crowd of students chuckled and pointed at me.

I quickened my pace around the group and hoped that nothing would happen. Unfortunately, my wishes wouldn't be answered.

"Hey Juliette, I heard that honey and milk combined will help you clear out that skin of yours. I thought you'd like a head start," She smirked and laughed.

Suddenly, a slimy, disgruntled substance was drizzled on my hair, and after an egg being cracked on my head.

I was petrified, as the image of thousands of faces appeared and the sound of laughing diluted my mind.

---

I woke up, startled and breathing heavily.  Sweat dripped down my face, back and arms. My face was wet with dry tears. Calm down, you're homeschooled now. Nothing will happen.

My eyes began to drift slowly back into a clasp until the sound of glass shattering ripped thru my skull. I panicked and jolted up. Slowly, I inched towards the door, reluctantly grasping the cold, untouched, silver lining knob. Opening it, my head crept out, looking for any sudden movement shown within the house.

Sobs echoed across the room. "Jaime, I'm so hurt."